GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) have the potential to change the way we treat addiction to many different drugs. A large study shows that these diabetes and obesity drugs lower the risk of new addictions and bad outcomes in people who are already addicted.
New study: Ozempic, Wegovy slash alcohol, opioid addiction risks up to 50%. Brain reward mechanism explained. Breakthrough in substance abuse treatment.
Researchers looked at more than 600,000 people and found that people who took GLP-1 were 18–25% less likely to develop alcohol, opioid, cannabis, cocaine, or nicotine use disorders than people who didn’t take GLP-1. For people who had already been addicted, GLP-1s led to 31% fewer trips to the emergency room, 26% fewer hospitalizations, 39% fewer overdoses, 50% fewer deaths, and 25% fewer suicide attempts over three years.
GLP-1 drugs act like gut hormones that affect the brain’s reward centers, stopping dopamine signals that are linked to cravings for food and drugs. This wide-ranging effect goes against the grain of traditional addiction treatments that only target one substance, suggesting a shared biological pathway.
Supporting studies comprise a Swedish analysis demonstrating a 36% reduction in alcohol-related hospitalizations and a trial in which semaglutide diminished alcohol craving and consumption.
Where to Watch / Shop
Shop the Look
As an Amazon Associate, Awesome TV earns from qualifying purchases.
